Criminal Defense and Civil Forfeiture Blog

Published on: October 26, 2020

Five Individuals Charged for Allegedly Scamming $1.1 Million from COVID-19 Relief Program

The Department of Justice has announced charges against three Milwaukee men and two Chicago-area men accused of participating in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $1 million in coronavirus (COVID-19) relief aid.

The defendants named in the indictment are: Thomas Smith, 46, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Stephen Smith, 42, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Robert Hamilton, 59, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Samuel Davis Jr., 40, of Chicago, Illinois; and Jonathan Henley, 52, of Chicago, Illinois. Four of the defendants are charged with bank fraud and money laundering, while Henley is charged with bank fraud only. It is unclear if any of the defendants has acquired legal counsel.

Published on: October 23, 2020

Dade City Man Charged with Fraud after Allegedly Using COVID-19 Relief Money to Purchase Luxury Vehicles

by Brian Silber

A Dade City man has been charged for allegedly securing more than $1.9 million in emergency funds from a federal coronavirus (COVID-19) relief program and using the money to purchase luxury vehicles.

Keith William Nicoletta, 48, was charged with bank fraud and illegal monetary transactions. The press did not name an attorney for him.

Published on: October 22, 2020

Sacramento Trucking Business Owners Charged in $450,000 Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

Two owners of a long-haul trucking company based in Sacramento, CA, have been charged for allegedly misclassifying employees and underreporting payroll in a scheme to defraud their insurer and the Employment Development Department out of $450,000 in insurance premiums.

Hardip Singh, 44, and Amandeep Kaur, 36, were charged with multiple counts of insurance fraud. It is unclear if they have acquired legal representation.

Published on: October 20, 2020

Connecticut Therapist Arrested for Involvement in Wide-Ranging Health Care Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

A Connecticut therapist was arrested and charged last week for his alleged involvement in a wide-ranging health care fraud scheme that billed Medicaid for therapy services that were never provided.

Cortney Dunlap, 36, of Avon, was charged with health care fraud and making false statements relating to health care matters. He was released on $100,000 bond. The press did not name an attorney for him.

Published on: October 19, 2020

Four Chicago Women Indicted for Attempting to Defraud $1 Million from State Child Care Subsidy Program

by Brian Silber

A grand jury has indicted four owners of daycare businesses in Chicago for allegedly defrauding a state child care subsidy program out of more than $1 million.

Named in the indictments are Tarnavis A. Lee, 41, owner of Lee’s Toddler Town, Inc.; Demetra M. Jackson, 41, owner of Jitter Bugs, Inc.; Elizabeth McFarland, 46, owner of Tater Tots, Inc.; and LaShanda Hudson, 39, owner of a daycare business in her name. The four women are charged with multiple counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. It is unclear if they have acquired legal representation.